PGTYX vs. XLK

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PGTYX (Putnam Global Technology Fund) and XLK (State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both Technology Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, PGTYX returned 25.93%/yr vs 25.97%/yr for XLK. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PGTYX charges 0.62%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLK.

Performance

PGTYX vs. XLK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Putnam Global Technology Fund (PGTYX) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PGTYX achieves a 41.18% return, which is significantly higher than XLK's 37.85% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with PGTYX having a 25.93% annualized return and XLK not far ahead at 25.97%.

PGTYX

• 1D: 3.89%
• 1M: 21.93%
• YTD: 41.18%
• 6M: 39.87%
• 1Y: 74.55%
• 3Y*: 36.69%
• 5Y*: 19.69%
• 10Y*: 25.93%

XLK

• 1D: 1.25%
• 1M: 22.45%
• YTD: 37.85%
• 6M: 37.41%
• 1Y: 71.15%
• 3Y*: 34.35%
• 5Y*: 24.55%
• 10Y*: 25.97%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

PGTYX vs. XLK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PGTYX Putnam Global Technology Fund	41.18%	23.31%	27.88%	53.82%	-32.30%	11.72%	70.92%	47.50%	-6.72%	47.05%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	37.85%	24.61%	21.63%	56.02%	-27.73%	34.74%	43.62%	49.86%	-1.68%	34.26%

Correlation

The correlation between PGTYX and XLK is 0.93, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 22, 2008	0.93

The correlation between PGTYX and XLK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PGTYX vs. XLK — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

PGTYX

PGTYX Risk / Return Rank: 90
PGTYX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
PGTYX Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
PGTYX Omega Ratio Rank: 83
PGTYX Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
PGTYX Martin Ratio Rank: 89

XLK

XLK Risk / Return Rank: 86
XLK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
XLK Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
XLK Omega Ratio Rank: 87
XLK Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
XLK Martin Ratio Rank: 78

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

PGTYX vs. XLK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Putnam Global Technology Fund (PGTYX) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	PGTYX	XLK	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.49	3.44	+0.05
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.13	4.12	+0.01
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.56	1.55	+0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.50	4.56	+0.93
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	17.57	15.32	+2.25
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PGTYX vs. XLK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PGTYX Sharpe Ratio is 3.49, which is comparable to the XLK Sharpe Ratio of 3.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PGTYX and XLK, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	PGTYX	XLK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.49	3.44	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79	0.99	-0.20
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.08	1.06	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.96	0.42	+0.54

Drawdowns

PGTYX vs. XLK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PGTYX drawdown since its inception was -42.09%, smaller than the maximum XLK drawdown of -82.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PGTYX and XLK.

Drawdown Indicators

	PGTYX	XLK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.09%	-82.05%	+39.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.58%	-15.92%	+2.34%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.36%	-25.66%	-2.70%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.09%	-33.56%	-8.53%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.09%	-33.56%	-8.53%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.61%	-34.96%	+28.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.25%	4.74%	-0.49%

Volatility

PGTYX vs. XLK - Volatility Comparison

Putnam Global Technology Fund (PGTYX) has a higher volatility of 7.59% compared to State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) at 6.74%. This indicates that PGTYX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PGTYX	XLK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.59%	6.74%	+0.85%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.63%	16.64%	+0.99%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.02%	20.80%	+1.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.96%	24.90%	+0.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.11%	24.49%	-0.38%

PGTYX vs. XLK - Expense Ratio Comparison

PGTYX has a 0.62% expense ratio, which is higher than XLK's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

PGTYX vs. XLK - Dividend Comparison

PGTYX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.67%, more than XLK's 0.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PGTYX Putnam Global Technology Fund	7.67%	10.83%	6.40%	0.57%	1.71%	21.15%	13.60%	2.63%	9.44%	6.75%	1.01%	4.56%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	0.39%	0.54%	0.66%	0.76%	1.04%	0.65%	0.92%	1.16%	1.60%	1.37%	1.74%	1.79%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PGTYX and XLK in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, PGTYX and XLK move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, PGTYX or XLK?

PGTYX has higher volatility (7.59%) compared to XLK (6.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PGTYX dropped -42.09% vs XLK's -82.05%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PGTYX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.49 vs 3.44), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.